Fernand Joseph Desire Contandin was a French actor and singer. He was a comedy star who first gained popularity in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues. Fernandel appeared in his first motion picture and for more than forty years he would be France's top comic actor. He was perhaps best-loved for his portrayal of the irascible Italian village priest at war with the town's Communist mayor in the Don Camillo series of motion pictures. His horse-like teeth became part of his trademark.